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Hey there, So I picked up this book as a present for myself at Christmas. I am an O+ from two shoeless hippies (A+) married to a B+. MY whole life I have been a Vegetarian, and I am allergic to seafood. I’ll be very honest, I get freaked out every time I think of eating meat and I have been known to break down and cry if I have to! So I am not going to be able to break down and follow my blood as a true meat eater.

The reason that this book was so appealing to me is because I have always been an active person, however about 2 years ago I dropped a lung. This prevented me from competing in my first triathlon. Since then I have put some poundage. I have noticed some problems with acid and ulcers.

So here I am, a very health conscience, average++, vegetarian, looking to be healthier and happier starving graduate student.

Does anyone have any tips for me, in attempting to eat for my blood type?

Can your blood type change in the course of a life time? (There is a story if anyone wants to know)

Hi Frizz, good questions.There are many of us who were shoeless hippies eating our starchatarian veggie diets only to learn that it was not good for our blood types....esp so for O's. I still have a hard time figuring out why its ok to eat meat but I enjoy the taste and it is very good for me....and since it is my responsiblity to care for my body....I'm trying to do it right. This way of eating is very satisfying but you shouldn't have to eat meat and cry.....I think you might try eliminating wheat, corn, and cow dairy (I enjoy goat cheese)first and see if it helps. Those are the worst for O's. Others will pitch in with their suggestions, and you're not the first to have these concerns. Best of luck to you.

Posted by: Don, Tuesday, January 2, 2007, 11:21pm; Reply: 3

Welcome frizzbk9,

Any form of compliance with the blood type diet will be better for you then ignoring it completely. That said the most important things you need to do are try to avoid all forms of wheat and corn and eat animal sources of protein. If you can't eat red meat or seafood can you eat poultry? What about eggs?

Recognize that you would be better off to limit your consumption of foods in both grain and legume categories to a few servings a week. For type Os foods in these categories are better consumed less versus more. However, if you can't eat enough meat or seafood then you may want to eat more then the recommended amount of beans. In general type Os need to limit consumption of starches to do well. If you want to be a vegetarian then eat a lot more vegetables instead of the grains.

How is rice milk for O's?I think I know the answer but...I am not big on Dairy, but I can choke down eggs, often I just eat the whites.

I am always though that being a vegetarian was genetic, now looking at it my parents, and grandparents are all A's so that makes sense... am I adopted?

Posted by: KimonoKat, Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 12:22am; Reply: 6

Quoted from frizzbk9

How is rice milk for O's?

Check for avoids. Most commercial varieties have gums (carrageenan) or other non-compliant additives.

Quoted Text

I think I know the answer but...

It's hard to change, I know. :D

Quoted Text

I am not big on Dairy, but I can choke down eggs, often I just eat the whites.

Eat the whole egg. Better for you.

Quoted Text

I am always though that being a vegetarian was genetic, now looking at it my parents, and grandparents are all A's so that makes sense... am I adopted?

Adopted? You could be? ;D Maybe they are waiting for the right time to tell you. :D :D

Two Type A parents can have a Type O baby. That's because we each receive a BT marker from each parent.

So if you Mother was AoandYour father was Ao,

They each gave you an O so you are OO.

A and B are dominant over O.

Posted by: Lola, Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 12:24am; Reply: 7

there must be some grandparents who are Os out there!! lolyour parents each had a recessive O gene.....rice milk is fine, you just need to watch avoids in the store bought kind....or do your own!it s easy!

use the recibase.....

Posted by: 671 (Guest), Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 1:48am; Reply: 8

frizzbk9, Welcome to the BT lifestyle! Yes, you can have two A+ parents and be an O (as KK said). It would explain why your parents did so well on a veg diet and you are having problems on it. MoDon is right. Try to avoid the O avoids first. Work up to the rest. There are many former vegetarians on these board that will be along to tell you how they've managed the change. Hang it there!

Posted by: Don, Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 2:31am; Reply: 9

Here is another thing to consider and why I mentioned supplementing with zinc in an earlier post:

Excess copper interferes with zinc, a mineral needed to make digestive enzymes. Too much copper also impairs thyroid activity and the functioning of the liver. If severe enough, a person will become an obligatory vegetarian. This means they are no longer able to digest meat very well. Conversely, if one becomes a vegetarian for other reasons, most likely one's copper level will increase. Vegetarian proteins are higher in copper, and lower in zinc. At times, the vegetarian orientation is health-producing. In many people, however, restricted diets do not work well. Fatigue, spaciness and other symptoms begin to appear. Many people, including the author, felt they were becoming more spiritual on a vegetarian diet, when in fact it was just copper poisoning! The taste for meat often returns when copper is brought into better balance. Some people with high copper dislike all protein. They crave high-carbohydrate diets. Protein feels heavy or causes other symptoms. Eating protein stimulates glandular activity. This releases stored copper which causes the symptoms. However, these individuals usually need to eat protein. The symptoms will eventually disappear. Copper-toxic individuals may also be drawn to sweets or salty foods due to adrenal insufficiency. Some sea salt is often beneficial. Sweets, including fruit juices, provide a temporary lift but may worsen the condition.

You might want to read the rest of the article at the link I provided.

Posted by: Debra+, Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 3:02am; Reply: 10

frizzbk9 is an O+ with parents that are A+ and B+. That is what is said in the first post of this thread anyhow. ;)

Debra :)

Posted by: Don, Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 3:07am; Reply: 11

The way I read it I think her parents are A+ and her husband is B+.

Posted by: Victoria, Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 4:07am; Reply: 12

Hi Frizzbk,As others have told you, you aren't alone, and there have been many total vegetarians who have decided to follow the BTD. I was one for just 25 years, back to the land, with an organic garden and log cabin. It was very hard to consider eating meat. I honestly transitioned over a period of a couple of years by eating a very small amount of fish a few times a month, just to get my body and mind used to it.

***You said you are allergic to seafood. Does that really include ALL fish? Many are allergic to shellfish, but find that they can eat the fish that are classified beneficial for their blood types.***

I also advise that you at least begin by eliminating all avoids. They are the same as poisons for you and will do you no good in any way. If you can add several beneficials per day, it will improve your health. However, if you don't ever include any animal protein at all, I honestly believe that you health will begin to suffer over time. You are perhaps still young, if you are a student. ?? I hope you have wonderful health, but if you find that your body starts unravelling, please look to animal protein as your best medicine.

When I was 27, my appendix ruptured, and that was the beginning of one small problem after another, until they begin to get serious. I waited almost too long before eating meat. Now, 8 years into my BTD eating, most health conditions have already reversed back into good health. I am still dealing with a deep fatigue that is also improving.

Posted by: Howard, Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 7:14am; Reply: 13

I was a vegetarian for 26.5 years. Always claimed I did so because I was enjoying better health on such a diet and would change if I would be healthier eating meat. So I ran into BTD 17 months ago, dropped all the avoids, dropped weight and felt better almost immediately. After a month I decided to go all the way, visited my Naturopath for enzymes to aid in digesting meat, started slowly with chicken, added red meat a month later, and had no problems adjusting. At first I thought it would be a problem, but it wasn't, in fact I was surprised how easy it was for me. Hopefully, if you wish to try it, you will find you have a similar positive experience. Whatever your choice, Good luck and Good Health!

Posted by: Elizabeth, Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 2:53pm; Reply: 14

In the meantime, how about rice protein powder? Do SOMETHING to increase the protein, anyway. How about an egg white frittata with lots of vegetables? Chard baked with eggs (or, in general, vegetable dishes with eggs cooked in them). A number of these are vegetarian cookbook standbys, I think.

Hey there, So I picked up this book as a present for myself at Christmas.

WELCOME, frizzbk9, and I think over time you will realize that it was the best present you ever received!!!

I am a shoeless hippie at heart myself. In fact, lately my inner hippie has been coming out more and more and I welcome her and say, where've you been, baby? However, these days, she has a much different 'tude regarding eating meat than she used to. I still wish I could be healthy without doing so, but I have come to understand that I was designed to eat some meat and so I just try to be as ethical as I possibly can about it (organic, etc.).

Years ago when I was at the height of shoeless hippiedom and was a vegetarian who was sure that I was right and anyone who disagreed with me was woefully mistaken (a.k.a. WRONG *lol*), there was this really equally hippied out (if not more so) girl at my college and somehow we got into a discussion about hunting and she said something to me that I disagreed with passionately at the time, yet it was one of those things that has stayed with me and I've come to understand that, yes, she was so right. She said "A true hunter has respect and reverence for the animals he kills." I was like, WHAT? Whatchu' tawkin' 'bout, Willis? But she was right. If you look at indigenous cultures who live close to nature and are in intimate contact with the food chain in ways that we in modern society are totally cut off from when we go into a flourescently-lit supermarket aisle and buy a package of meat, they have so much respect and reverence for the animals that sustain them. They take only what they need and they revere the animals they eat (like salmon or bears or whatever) in their cultural rituals and belief systems. It would be abhorrent to them to learn of factory farming or cruel treatment of animals. They take what they need and give great thanks for it. I try to do that as best I can here in modern culture, as I have come to learn that my Type O bod really needs some animal protein to be healthy. And if that is nature's design, I accept and respect it. Many animals in nature do eat other animals, much as I wish this were otherwise and we were in a utopian sort of place where the "lion lies down with the lamb".

Anyway, all that is by way of telling you that we here in the BTD community are not a bunch of mindless meat eaters. I do it with respect, thanks, reverence, and frankly regret that I have to. I wish I could survive on lettuce and water, honestly. And if they do start cloning meat and not labeling it as such, I may go back to that aspect of shoeless hippiedom and give it the old college try. God help me.

Quoted from frizzbk9

I am an O+ from two shoeless hippies (A+) married to a B+. MY whole life I have been a Vegetarian, and I am allergic to seafood. I’ll be very honest, I get freaked out every time I think of eating meat and I have been known to break down and cry if I have to! So I am not going to be able to break down and follow my blood as a true meat eater.

Sweetie, if the thought of eating meat makes you break down and cry, do NOT force yourself to do so, and don't feel pressured to do so when you read some of us here say how we feel it is necessary for optimal O health. I do think it is but I also think that if someone is that repulsed by it to the very fiber of her being, she shouldn't pressure herself to do it. If you change your diet to the O diet, even without choosing to eat meat as suggested, you will still be making a wonderful, profound, amazing change for the better! Simply cutting out wheat, for example, will be huge. And there are strategies you can use to support yourself in your veggie O lifestyle, although frankly I worry about any O who isn't at least eating eggs...will you eat eggs? They are only considered "neutral" (out of beneficial, neutral or avoid) on the diet, but if one is a vegetarian O, they can be a lifesaver. They are extremely high in quality protein (and they are cheap, yay!). Also, incorporate nutritional yeast flakes (KAL is the best brand, imho). They are very high in protein and B vitamins and even say "vegetarian support formula" on the can.

ANYWAY, you are most welcome here and encouraged to follow the diet that is suited for your O type, even if you don't choose to eat meat. Cut out the wheat from your diet and that will be a profound help right there.

:)

P.S. The Type O protein bars and protein powder available on this site are free of animal sources. You might want to order some to augment your diet. However, whole foods are always best, so items like eggs, pumpkin seeds (I like a brand called Eden Organic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, omg, YUM), and nutritional yeast will be key to supporting you in an O vegetarian lifestyle. Good luck!

Wow I really appreciate how helpful everyone has been, the article on copper was very interesting! I think that I have a good grasp of where to start….

You never know maybe if I balance my copper and zinc I will not have panic attacks every time I try to eat meat ha ha. Thank you again and I am sure that I will have a ton more questions in the weeks to come.

Posted by: italybound, Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 4:47pm; Reply: 17

Quoted from ironwood55

The way I read it I think her parents are A+ and her husband is B+.

That's what I got out of it too. :-)frizzbk9, welcome to BTD and the forum!! :-)Here is another thread you might visit. Our forum member is having to find ways to supplement protein due to religious or ethnic beliefs (hope I put that right):

Wow I really appreciate how helpful everyone has been, the article on copper was very interesting! I think that I have a good grasp of where to start….

You never know maybe if I balance my copper and zinc I will not have panic attacks every time I try to eat meat ha ha. Thank you again and I am sure that I will have a ton more questions in the weeks to come.

Ask away, we love to help and/or confusigate the newbies! ;)

Don't even worry about the meat thing right now, just change to your O diet and, as I said, I think you will be amazed at how much better you'll feel. Other changes will come in time, if they are meant to. No worries, mate.

btw, the KAL nutritional yeast flakes I suggested have (in addition to a ton of protein and the full spectrum of B vitamins) copper (not a ton, but some) and zinc (a lot) and all that good stuff, too. Check out this link and scroll halfway down to the ingredients list:

edited to add/muy importante: Do NOT follow the label to "take with water", as that is the most daft sugg I've ever come across! No, mix your nutritional yeast into pesto sauce, marinara, soup, etc., but only once you take the item off the stove. Nutritional yeast shouldn't be heated (you don't want to harm the potency of the B vitamins and enzymes, etc.).

Hey there, So I picked up this book as a present for myself at Christmas. I am an O+ from two shoeless hippies (A+) married to a B+. MY whole life I have been a Vegetarian, and I am allergic to seafood. I’ll be very honest, I get freaked out every time I think of eating meat and I have been known to break down and cry if I have to! So I am not going to be able to break down and follow my blood as a true meat eater.

The reason that this book was so appealing to me is because I have always been an active person, however about 2 years ago I dropped a lung. This prevented me from competing in my first triathlon. Since then I have put some poundage. I have noticed some problems with acid and ulcers.

So here I am, a very health conscience, average++, vegetarian, looking to be healthier and happier starving graduate student.

Does anyone have any tips for me, in attempting to eat for my blood type?

Can your blood type change in the course of a life time? (There is a story if anyone wants to know)

Brought a smile, your post did. No, I'm not Yoda :P!

I struggled with meat & fish initially, but the folks on the forum were really superb and encouraging. The health benefits were simply amazing after just 4 weeks. I dont have "access" to meat & fish anymore but have been eating eggs everyday. Hard boiled. And so far I've not experienced any fatigue, cravings for wheat & grain-starch. Only time will tell, but am doing just fine for the moment!

Good luck and keep posting. One learns a lot here...

tac

Posted by: KimonoKat, Monday, January 8, 2007, 2:44am; Reply: 22

Quoted Text

The reason that this book was so appealing to me is because I have always been an active person, however about 2 years ago I dropped a lung.

With this health issue, I strongly urge you to consider getting your secretor status tested. This can be the key that will turn in the best results, faster, with this new way of living and eating.

Posted by: SheriBerry, Monday, January 8, 2007, 3:19am; Reply: 23

you're not alone.. I was a vegetarian for 16 years... marathon runner, tennis player... yoga.. etc... but as I aged, my health declined.. acne... arthritus, fatigue..... so someone suggested the BTD.....well, it's been 4 years now... and although I haven't given up the coffee... I follow very closely in all other aspects.... WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!!! I sure miss the great vegetarian foods I used to enjoy.. and I , too, am sad at eating meat.. but it has saved me! so keep thinking positive thoughts... and just eat small portions of meat.. make veggies and fruits the bulk of your diet..... ok? don't make meat the center of your meals.. just eat small portions of high quality meat...

You are a obligate meat-eater who is bound and determined to be a vegetarian, damn the torpedoes.

Posted by: Lola, Saturday, January 20, 2007, 1:22am; Reply: 26

;D

Posted by: Alia Vo, Saturday, January 20, 2007, 2:19am; Reply: 27

Welcome to the forum, frizzbk9.

I'm glad to hear that you are starting this new lifestyle; I hope it provides you with much health and energy.

Alia

Posted by: MyraBee, Saturday, January 20, 2007, 9:25pm; Reply: 28

Welcome to the BTD Forums, thanks for starting such a good discussion. :D

Posted by: 362 (Guest), Thursday, January 25, 2007, 2:20am; Reply: 29

I was a vegetarian for about 4-5 years in the 90s-- from about '91 to '96-- and while I can say I was not totally unhealthy, I was not really healthy either, and have been felt better since adding animal foods back to my diet. I found the blood type diet in 2000 and knew immediately that it was true but did not follow it at a level of what we here call "compliance" till about the last year. I did not eat red meat regularly, ate too much oatmeal, refused to exercise, etc. At the end of last year I noticed my joints hurt when I got up (I felt old at 35!!) and was getting a layer of fat around my stomach and thighs that would not go away. Also, I had no energy, was depressed, and often considered suicide.

So I decided I'd add some red meat and got a package of buffalo. Then I joined a gym and started going several days a week. Now a year later I am pretty conservative on the meat servings-- 2-3 a week rather than 6 like Dr. D says-- and feel like a totally diferent person. I have TONS of energy, am able to work long hours and exercise, and finally really feel "involved" with life in a way that I never did before. My vegetarian period though mellow and enriching in some ways now seems frankly sad and I would never go back to that way of life. I was even macrobiotic. Sure meat is too yang. So I have a lot of vegetables and fruits in my diet to balance it. And true to from I learned from the macro viewpoint, dairy (especially for type Os, not for other blood types, like B) is the worst and I have benefitted from cutting dairy out entirely. It has made such a difference in how I look and feel.

What I would recommend to you is that you start small with a couple of servings of organic beef a week and choose the other foods on the diet that work for you, making sure to avoid dairy and wheat. Your digestive problems will clear up quickly. I was constipated for years before switching to this diet. It is mind boggling to me now that I had that problem.

Posted by: Victoria, Thursday, January 25, 2007, 3:14am; Reply: 30

That's a great report, Virgo, and very informative. Thank you for sharing.

You are among many ex-vegetarians/macrobiotics, not to mention ex-vegans, starchetarians and anything else you might think of. It's been a process of getting to know our bodies in a different way, eating what we need for our blood types! :-)

Posted by: Lola, Thursday, January 25, 2007, 3:17am; Reply: 31

impressive testimonial, thanks so much for sharing!!a true example of how, no matter what, you can take control of your health through the right nutrition designed for your physiology.